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Winemaker's Notes

A vibrant and expressive nose, characterized by a classical fruit profile of Nashi pear, lime curd, ripe white peach and quince. Nuances of flint and sweet cinnamon feature in the background.

Subtle layers of complexity are conveyed in the form of lifted floral notes of pear blossom and jasmine, combining with savory toasted sesame and cashew.

On the palate, a gentle and restrained entry shows great poise. Purity and clarity of fruit is underpinned with lively pear, grapefruit and lime flesh. The mid-palate is textural with slight creaminess and generous with concentrated fruit. The degree of width through to the back palate is balanced with a fine line of natural acidity formulating enviable length.

Critical Acclaim

JH97

Australian Wine Companion - "Pale gold, vivid green hue; a deeply fruited and hedonistically adorned bouquet of grapefruit, nectarine, spices and pain grillee; the palate is deeply weighted and powerful on entry, with finesse taking over and purity of fruit remaining on the finish; a pure, long and precise edition of an Australian classic."

WS96

Wine Spectator - "A deftly balanced Chardonnay of tremendous depth without much weight, floating its pear, quince, floral and orange marmalade flavors through to the end. It's the finish that makes this special, balancing all the elements effortlessly and lingering on and on. Drink now through 2025."

RP93

The Wine Advocate - "The 2009 Art Series Chardonnay has a wonderfully fragrant nose of honeysuckle, tropical fruits and nectarines over nuances of pink grapefruit and allspice. Full-bodied and richly fruited in the mouth, it is surprisingly harmonious at this youthful stage with a backbone of medium to high acid balancing the ripe, expressive fruit. The finish is long with plenty of tropical fruit layers. Delicious now, it should cellar to 2020+.Rating: 93+"

WE93

Wine Enthusiast - "Leeuwin’s 2009 is a worthy successor to the flamboyant 2008. While perhaps just a touch more restrained in aroma and flavor despite being higher in alcohol, it still shows off flashy notes of grilled peach and pineapple. As always, it’s full bodied and luscious without being overblown, and has a lingering finish."

ST93

International Wine Cellar - "Light yellow. Pungent aromas of tangerine, peach and white flowers, complicated by a tropical fruit nuance. Juicy, spicy and intense, with tangy acidity lifting flavors of citrus and orchard fruits, ginger and anise. Becomes creamier and spicier with air and finishes on a subtle pineapple note, with impressive clarity and length. The spicy, intensely mineral 2002 version of this wine is drinking very nicely right now, by the way, but still has years of life ahead of it."

Leeuwin Estate Winery

After an extensive search in 1972 to identify the most suitable Australian area for the production of premium varietal wines, Robert Mondavi singled out a small plot of land in the Margaret River region. At the time a cattle farm, Leeuwin Esate evolved under the direction of owners Denis and Tricia Horgan, with Mondavi acting as a consultant and mentor. The initial vineyards were planted by hand over a five year period from 1975, with the state-of-the-art winery opened in 1978. In 1979, Leeuwin Estate had their first commercial vintage. Today, Leeuwin Estate maintains a team of highly-skilled and dedicated winemakers, under the direction of two generations of the founding family, exporting to over 30 countries.
View all Leeuwin Estate Wines

About Margaret River

Located in the southwest area of Western Australia, the country's largest state, Margaret River wine growing region is on a peninsula jutting out into the Indian Ocean. The climate is reminiscent of Bordeaux in some ways, leading many winemakers to plant grapes of that nature, such as Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot. Other varieties that have found results are Chardonnay & Riesling.

About Australia

Like the United States, which is about the same size, Australia's winemaking regions are huddled into one or two pockets of the country. The state of South Australia, which produces about 60% of the country's wine, also has the most wineries and sub-regions, including McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, Coonawarra and Barossa Valley. New South Wales is home to the Hunter Valley, while the smaller, southern state of
Victoria is best known for theYarra Valley. Head way west to the very large state of Western Australia and you'll find the tiny region of Margaret River at the southern tip.

I'm not particularly intimate with Chardonnay, but it's the best I've had. Blissful and harmonious melding of fruits with an impressive finish. Crisp with excellent structure. Not a California oak monster like a lot of the faddish, overpriced chardonnay on the block. A perennial classic and steal, if you can get it.

The bouquet is vibrant with a concentrated fruit profile of abundant blackcurrant, dark cherries and mulberry. Lifted savory and earthy
aromatics provide elegant layers to a highly expressive and complex nose. On the palate, a dark fruit core of blackcurrant ...

Gallo Signature Series Chardonnay opens with aromas of sweet vanilla and freshly baked bread. A true expression of the Russian
River Valley, this wine has delightfully bright flavors of crisp apple, lemon meringue and ginger on the palate.

Alcohol By Volume Guide

Most wine ranges from 10-16% alcohol by volume. Some varietals tend to have higher (for example Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon) or lower alcohol levels (Pinot Noir and many white varietals), but there is always some variation from producer to producer. Some wine falls outside of this range, for instance Port weighs in closer to 20%, while Muscat and Riesling are usually a bit below 10%.

Wine Style Guide

Light & Crisp

Light to medium bodied wines that are high in acid and light to medium fruit. Typically no oak.